Improvement in folding tables



J. E. ARNOLD.

FOLDING-TABLE.

No. 175,005. Patented March 21.1876.

WITN ESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEYS N-FETERS, PMOTO-UTNCIGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. ARNOLD, OF BRENHAM, TEXAS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDlNg TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 175,005, dated March 21, 1876; application filed December 31, 1875.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, JAMES EDWIN ARNOLD, of Brenham, in the county of Washington and State of Texas,'have invented a new and va1- uable Improvement in Combination Folding Tables; and I do hereby declare that the fol lowing is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a perspective view of my table folded, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same open. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof.

My invention relates to folding tables; and it consists in the employment of central sections, secured to hinged frames, in connection with hinged outer sections, hinged legs, and spring-catches, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawing, A A and A A represent the four sections of which the tabletop is composed. The two inner or center sections,-A A, are secured upon frames B B hinged together at their lower edges, as shown. Within the frame 13, to the under side of the table section A, near the outer edge, are hinged two legs, 0 (J, connected by a crossbar, D, said legs being formed with shoulders or off-sets a to fit over the lower edge of the frame, when thrown out for use. The legs are then held by a spring-catch, b, at one side, and an L-shaped pivoted catch, d, at the other side.

The outer table-sections A A are hinged to the outer edges of the center sections AA. WVhen these sections are thrown out for use they are supported either by one or more slides, E, in the frame B drawn out for that purpose, or by a drawer, G, similarly arranged and drawn out.

By this construction and manner of folding and the table, when folded up, presents a perfectly smooth outside, and it is as convenient to carry as a traveling-trunk, by means of the handle B. When the table is opened, with the wings or side sections A expanded, it is four times as long as when folded up. When the Wings are folded and the table shut up, the table does not take any more room on account of the wings than otherwise.

The table can be used as well at half or three-quarters extension as it can at full extension. The wings, folding back to the center of the table, meet and form a smooth surface on top.

This invention will be useful as-a cuttingtable for dress-makers or tailors, having the convenience of being easily and quickly foldedand stowed away in a very small space, with all the parts'which might'be liable to be injured by rough usage safely folded and fastened inside. Also, in camping, for hunters or travelers and tourists, it may be folded and thrown into the wagon or carriage with tablelinen, knives, forks, spoons, &c., inside, conveniently accessible whenever the table is opened. It is also useful in hotels, restaurants, and boarding-houses, especially where convenience and room is and object.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The central sections A A, secured to the frames B B, which latter are hinged together, in combination with the hinged sections A A, hinged legs 0, and spring, and pivoted catches -b 01, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the, presence of two witnesses.

JAMES EDWIN ARNOLD.

Witnesses:

G. W. PICKETT, SETH SHEPARD. 

